Rage and Redemption (Rebel Angels) (36 page)

He grasped the darkness by the throat and enveloped it within the memory of Gabriel’s unconditional love. He bound it with Naomi’s whispered words—
I love you, Gideon. Come what may, I love you.
Then he sealed it with the warmth and tenderness the orphans had released within his heart.

Holding the bundle toward Heaven, he whispered two simple words.

“Forgive me.”

Light infused his soul.

With one mighty buck, Gideon flipped Legion off him. He jumped to his feet and warmth spread along his spine.

“You can do it.” He heard Naomi’s call. “I know you can.”

The tingle intensified, burning and searing until he felt his flesh separate. Brilliant, shimmering wings unfurled, supporting and stabilizing him. Gingerly he moved his wings in a rather unsteady flap. Then again more confidently.

Legion roared, swinging at Gideon with his tail. Gideon turned to the side and deflected the tail with a powerful sweep of one wing.

Naomi cheered and Gabriel sang a song of praise.

Legion shouted profanity, swinging his tail again and again. Gideon blocked his blows with the power of his radiant wings.

Gabriel cried out and Gideon turned to see Domieno break free. He flew through the air and Legion caught him, absorbed his energy.

Stunned for a moment, no one moved. Silence filled the ruins. Then Legion screamed, its shape fluctuating grotesquely. The demon split right down the middle, rolling back until it was two separate shapes. Each shape changed into a distinct creature, similar yet different from the other.

A soft swishing sound filled the air and Naomi smelled the spicy scent of incense. Gideon and Gabriel flapped their wings, causing the sound and increasing the golden illumination surrounding them.

Legion stirred restlessly, stomping and snorting. Gabriel took flight, gliding through the night with preternatural grace. Naomi felt humbled to witness such beauty. He dove suddenly, purposefully, planting his feet in the center of Legion’s chest and knocking him backward.

Gideon’s flight was less graceful yet faster, more forceful. He attacked the other demon with several violent kicks and one massive slap from his powerful wing. The demon hit the wall, stunned and senseless.

“Gideon!”

Gabriel’s sharp cry drew Naomi’s attention as well. His half of Legion had split again and trapped him between the two. One had its tail wrapped around his ankle, preventing him from flying away.

Naomi quickly snapped a branch off a nearby tree and smacked the demon’s tail with all the force she could muster. The tail recoiled and Gideon blocked the demon’s frantic lunge for her.

Gabriel drove the demons back while Gideon repositioned. Naomi glanced back at the demon Gideon had left against the wall. Just as she feared, it had split into two.

Thunder shook the earth, rattling the ruin. Naomi screamed but Gabriel shot Gideon a speculative glance. A blinding flash of light split the darkness, forcing the demons to look away.

Michael stood before them, his golden armor illuminated from within. His flowing hair fanned out behind him as he tossed a long, flaming sword to Gabriel and another to Gideon.

Naomi trembled, shaken by the significance of the gesture. Michael and Gideon fighting side by side.

Each time they swung their swords the metal sizzled and sparks exploded into the night. Clutching the stick to her chest, Naomi watched the battle. They fought in a circle, protecting each other’s backs. The demons attacked in pairs but the flaming swords pierced their flesh effortlessly, dispersing their energy into the darkness. The angels arched their wings in unison as one demon attacked from above. Michael batted it away as one would flick a fly and Gideon skewered it with his sword.

When only one demon remained, Gideon stepped out of formation and angled his sword to strike. “Now and forever, I stand for the light!” He drove the sword into the creature. It shrieked and flailed as energy spewed forth, scattered forever on the night wind.

Naomi dropped the branch and ran to Gideon. He tossed his sword to Gabriel and closed his arms around her. She kissed his mouth, filling her head with his scent and his taste. “Is it over, my love? Is it really over?”

He eased her away and kissed her brow. “
Forever,
it is over.”

“Forever?” Michael challenged. “We must talk about forever.”

Their radiance hurt her eyes but Naomi couldn’t look away. Michael had the power to take Gideon from her. She trembled all the harder when Gideon bowed his head and furled his wings. He appeared human again, devastatingly handsome but human. Naomi wanted to shake Michael. Why was he making this so difficult?

“What will become of me, sir?” Gideon asked respectfully.

“You cannot return to Heaven. Your angelic nature is irreversibly tainted.”

“That is not my wish.” He dared a glance at the archangel.

“What is your wish, Gideon? Speak.”

Straightening his shoulders, he looked directly at Michael. “I wish to stay with Naomi.”

Michael smiled and Naomi felt her heart leap within her breast. Without his grave expression the archangel was even more beautiful than Gabriel.

“Enough to sacrifice your immortality?” Michael asked, but his tone was almost playful.

“Of course,” he said without hesitation. “That is no sacrifice.”

“Perhaps not a sacrifice but an exchange. Tomorrow with the dawn you will be transformed. Your angelic nature will be made—
human
.” He chuckled at the irony. “You may reenter the daylight, but you will have no power. And your immortality will be restored in another form.”

“Children?” Gideon whispered, his voice husky and unsteady.

“Aye. You will live on through your children.” Michael smiled at Naomi. “You did well. We thank you.”

Shocked and humbled by his praise, Naomi quickly bowed her head. “It was my pleasure, sir.”

He turned to Gabriel. “Say your farewells, Gabriel. Your assignment here is finished but we have battles yet to fight.”

“I will be with you directly.”

Michael flashed out of sight and Naomi could contain her emotions no longer. She cried out happily and flung herself into Gideon’s arms. Laughing and crying, she clutched him tightly and vowed to never let go. Gideon spun her around and around, laughing and kissing her face.

“Well, this ended rather well,” Gabriel chuckled. When Gideon finally set her back on her feet, Gabriel took her hand and kissed her fingers. “As you grew to be a woman, I often tried to imagine your husband. Never once did I picture Gideon.”

She laughed.

“I will make her happy,” Gideon vowed. “You have nothing to worry about.”

“I know,” he said, “because I will visit from time to time just to be sure.”

* * * * *

Gideon wrapped his arms around Naomi, pressing her back against his chest. They stood on the ramparts, waiting for the rising sun.

“I have the special license,” Gideon told her. “We can be married on the morrow.”

“With the danger gone, there is no real hurry.”

He pinched her bottom lightly and Naomi laughed.

“I do not want our first child to be conceived until we are lawfully wed,” he said.

She rested her head against his shoulder. “Then Father Thomas had better wed us tomorrow. I have no intention of spending another night without you.”

“Or another day?”

She turned in his arms, needing to see his face. “Oh, to stroll through a sun-drenched meadow with you by my side.”

“We will do that and more.”

Smiling into his eyes, she asked, “Do you think Father Thomas will mind if I make a few changes to the parish church?”

Gideon tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his gaze caressing her upturned face. “What changes are needed?”

“Just the paintings on the walls. They are flat and lifeless. I would like to replace them with scenes of angels with glorious wings and flaming swords.”

Gideon glanced at the horizon. “You do realize in a moment or two, I will no longer have wings.”

“I will have the rest of you,” she said. “I think I will survive the disappointment.”

He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her deeply and hungrily. As he pulled away, sunlight bathed his features and Naomi could hardly breathe. A swell of happiness constricted her throat. His eyes shone like molten gold, alive with love and laughter.

“What a glorious morning,” he said with a beaming smile.

Monthamn Major, England

1378

A beam of sunlight fell across Sariel’s boots as his quarry entered the church. Though a calculative smile bowed his lips, he didn’t turn around. Listening to the muted echo of her footfalls against the stone floor, he waited until she was nearly upon him. Her fresh, feminine scent teased his nose. Did he detect a hint of cinnamon? Where had she come by such a rare treat in this secluded hamlet?

Focus, he must focus. He couldn’t allow her youth or apparent innocence to distract from his purpose. It was imperative he
sense
her before he saw her.

Appearances could deceive.

Closing his eyes, he searched her essence and scanned her being. His objective was specific, but far from simple. The outcome of his decision would determine her fate. He must be certain before he passed judgment.

“Do you often pray to angels?” He heard her voice from beside him, gentle yet mocking.

“Do you often disturb men while they pray?” he countered without opening his eyes.

Complex and convoluted, the specifics of her nature eluded him. Most humans were simple to interpret, transparent despite their hypocrisy. He sensed something
more
within this girl. But what accounted for the complexity? Was she aware of the duality within her being? Could she control the opposing forces or were they controlling her?

Testing the accuracy of his instincts, he tried to picture her. Her head would come no higher than his chin, but he was uncommonly tall. Dark hair, sable brown—not black—with no curl or wave to distract from its gleam.

He heard her take a step away and opened his eyes. This opportunity must not slip away. “I was not praying.” He halted her retreat with a smile. “I was committing the murals to memory. They’re extraordinary.”

She was just as he had pictured, petite, dark-haired, pretty. Sky blue eyes dominated her delicate features. She glanced at the massive painting he’d mentioned and then returned her gaze to his face. “Where is Father Myron?”

Taking a step back, Sariel hoped to ease the sudden tension in her tone. “The priest went to arrange lodgings for me. I didn’t want to presume I’d be welcomed at the castle. The person I’m here to visit is a guest herself.”